Opening for 2016-2017 and 2017-2018

Program:

The Broward County Office of Medical Examiner & Trauma Services (OMETS) offers a one-year fellowship in forensic pathology. The training program fulfills the eligibility requirements for the American Board of Pathology’s certification in Forensic Pathology.

Broward County has a population of over 1.7 million people. In 2014, over 3,000 cases were referred to the medical examiner’s office. Jurisdiction was accepted in over 1,700 cases, and performed over 900 medicolegal autopsies and over 600 external examinations, which range from natural to traumatic causes of death. The medical examiner’s office also approved over 6,000 cremations. The fellow will be expected to perform between 200 and 250 autopsies, will be responsible for the final report, death certification, and to seek assistance as needed. The fellow will be mentored by six forensic pathologists and will have the opportunity to consult with specialists in areas such as neuropathology, forensic odontology, cardiac pathology, and the forensic anthropology department with University of Florida. The fellow will have the opportunity to spend two-weeks with the in-house forensic toxicology laboratory, attend and participate in Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) conferences with three local level one trauma centers, attend and participate in child death review meetings at two children’s hospital. There will be opportunities to communicate with families, law enforcement, attorneys, health professionals and other interested parties; participate in community emergency preparedness and various death review processes; provide testimony and expert opinions and participate in resident and medical student education. During the training period the fellow will develop skills in forensic photography, chain of custody and evidence collection, interpretation of postmortem laboratory testing, and identification of remains. The fellow is encouraged to conduct a research project and present a paper or poster at a national forensic meeting.

Broward Office of Medical Examiner & Trauma Services is one of 24 medical examiner districts in the State of Florida (as mandated by Florida Statute Chapter 406 and Florida Administrative Code 11G) and is provisionally accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME). The office employs approximately 40 personnel which includes 6 forensic pathologists, investigators, forensic photographers, forensic toxicologists, administrators, and trauma services. The Broward Office of Medical Examiner & Trauma Services is the first and only office in Florida to have an in-house LODOX® radiology system with a whole body, which is utilized on every case.

Requirements:

Applicants must have graduated from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy and be Board certified or eligible in AP or AP/CP by the start of the fellowship term. They must obtain an unrestricted medical license in the State of Florida. A valid driver’s license is also required.

Stipends:

The fellow will be an employee of Broward County. The salary for this position ranges $80,000.00-$100,000.00. Benefits include: Educational expense fund for one national forensic conference and one local forensic conference. Vacation, private office space, use of laptop computer, cell phone, and microscope. Health, dental, life insurance and Florida Retirement System options with Special Risk Plan.